Lost opportunity for church leaders

Published: Friday, December 27, 2013 at 12:05 PM.

It has been over a week now since Phil Robertson from the hugely successful A&E reality show “Duck Dynasty” shared his religious convictions with the world and many found them to be offensive.

Personally, I do not see what everyone sees in this program; but what I would like to address is the missed opportunity for the church both locally and nationally to stand up and defend the word of God by speaking the truth in love. Paul tells us, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things” (Ephesians 4:15); and “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

I have not heard or read where any local pastor in Eastern North Carolina has taken a stand for the word of God with regard to this issue. Maybe they think it will just go away — it will not — thinking, “After all, what would my congregation think if I defend (not Phil Robertson’s words) the word of God?”

“Oh no, I have my rice bowl to think of.”

Sadly, many pastors have learned not to speak the truth in love because they value their job more than the word of God. I have not heard from the Christian TV celebrities from the Trinity Broadcasting Network crew. I am afraid they too have learned the lessons of the late ’70s (when homosexuals started coming out of the closet) when very few in the church stood up and spoke the truth of God’s word in love. The church was silenced by the power of the press and the power of the boycott.

Singer Anita Bryant tried, but in the end it cost her career and even her marriage as the homosexual community boycotted the orange juice industry in Florida and most in the church turned their back on her. When will the church in America grow a backbone and stand up to defend the word of God?

It has been over a week now since Phil Robertson from the hugely successful A&E reality show “Duck Dynasty” shared his religious convictions with the world and many found them to be offensive.

Personally, I do not see what everyone sees in this program; but what I would like to address is the missed opportunity for the church both locally and nationally to stand up and defend the word of God by speaking the truth in love. Paul tells us, “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things” (Ephesians 4:15); and “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

I have not heard or read where any local pastor in Eastern North Carolina has taken a stand for the word of God with regard to this issue. Maybe they think it will just go away — it will not — thinking, “After all, what would my congregation think if I defend (not Phil Robertson’s words) the word of God?”

“Oh no, I have my rice bowl to think of.”

Sadly, many pastors have learned not to speak the truth in love because they value their job more than the word of God. I have not heard from the Christian TV celebrities from the Trinity Broadcasting Network crew. I am afraid they too have learned the lessons of the late ’70s (when homosexuals started coming out of the closet) when very few in the church stood up and spoke the truth of God’s word in love. The church was silenced by the power of the press and the power of the boycott.

Singer Anita Bryant tried, but in the end it cost her career and even her marriage as the homosexual community boycotted the orange juice industry in Florida and most in the church turned their back on her. When will the church in America grow a backbone and stand up to defend the word of God?

And do not get me started on Cracker Barrel’s integrity — shame on them for operating a business by political correctness polls.

The national debate has centered around First Amendment rights of free speech; and sadly the message of truth, hope and redemption is being lost to endless debate, political spin (by both sides) and an one-ups-manship for some silly advantage.

I was watching a news segment and this fellow from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation was defending their position and he was almost beside himself —he was practically foaming at the mouth in anger. When I saw this, I thought this is what Stephen must have seen before he was stoned to death for telling the people the truth, “When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” (Acts 7:54)

My Christian friends: I do not believe the homosexual community is really angry at Phil Robertson (you know what the messenger gets); they are really angry at God because in their heart they know the lifestyle they find themselves in today is in direct conflict with God and His word. They are frustrated and will do and say all they can to convince the world to agree with them.

I will not put someone in hell for being a homosexual as that is God’s call not mine. I wish no one to go to hell, but God has given us His standard of measurement for those who will find themselves in hell someday — it is His Holy word and, yes, His word changes not.

My brothers and sisters, let the homosexuals shake their fist at God, but we must tell them the truth from the word of God: it is what Paul calls, “our responsible service;” our duty before God and man, no matter what misguided religious denominations or people say.

Certainly pray, but righteousness is only done on Earth as it is done in heaven when good people stand up and speak the truth in love from the Bible just as much as when they feed the poor and bind up the broken hearted. It is time for the church to be salt and light in the world and start standing up for the word of God.